22 days after Alinghi succesfully defended the cup in the Spanish city, the Defender confirmed the host city again for the defending of Yacht's most prized trophy, yesterday late afternoon. The estimated cost for hosting the cup for the second time is 150 million EURO. Already four teams have announced there challenge so far, being the following: Challenger of Record, Club Náutico Español de Vela - Desafío Español, Royal Cape Yacht Club - South African Team Shosholoza, Royal Thames Yacht Club - TeamOrigin, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron - Team New Zealand. The new class rules of yachts will feature bigger sloop yachts of 90 feet and the new rules will be published on 31st October along with the event regulations.
The Cup will be held in 2009 between May and July, two Acts pre-regattas have been announced, one to be held in Valencia on July 2008 and the other in Autumn in a disclosed location in Europe.
On the other front, the legal battle saga of the USA Team Oracle represented by the Golden Gate Yacht Club and headed by software billionaire Larry Ellison continues in it's battle against the Defender new set of rules and the illegitimate role of Challenger of Record Desafio Espanol. Legal proceedings have already started in the supreme court of New York.
On the sport front the American Team has just announced the guaranteed services of three times Cup Winner Skipper Russel Coutts. The legendary Kiwi skipper signed both as Skipper and CEO for the US Team.
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